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Molding Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Tool and Die Mold Maker

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$24.94 - $42.75/hr

May occasionally act as lead on tooling or mold-making projects, assigning work to Tool Room associates and coordinating specialized machining and bench operations. * Monitor, train, and support ...

Tool and Die Mold Maker

Carpentersville, IL

$25.50 - $32.25/hr

May occasionally act as lead on tooling or mold-making projects, assigning work to Tool Room associates and coordinating specialized machining and bench operations. * Monitor, train, and support ...

Warehouse Associate

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

The Warehouse Associate will be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized warehouse, as ... molding, and stampings. Responsibilities * Load and unload trucks using forklift or hand truck

Warehouse Associate

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

The Warehouse Associate will be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized warehouse, as ... molding, and stampings. Responsibilities * Load and unload trucks using forklift or hand truck

Tool and Die Mold Maker

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$24.94 - $42.75/hr

May occasionally act as lead on tooling or mold-making projects, assigning work to Tool Room associates and coordinating specialized machining and bench operations.Monitor, train, and support ...

Warehouse Associate

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

The Warehouse Associate will be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized warehouse, as ... molding, and stampings. Responsibilities * Load and unload trucks using forklift or hand truck

The Warehouse Associate will be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized warehouse, as ... molding, and stampings. Responsibilities * Load and unload trucks using forklift or hand truck

Tool and Die Mold Maker

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$25.50 - $32.25/hr

May occasionally act as lead on tooling or mold-making projects, assigning work to Tool Room associates and coordinating specialized machining and bench operations. * Monitor, train, and support ...

The Warehouse Associate will be responsible for maintaining a clean and organized warehouse, as ... molding, and stampings. Responsibilities * Load and unload trucks using forklift or hand truck

Be Seen First

Quality Control Associate HQC Inc. | Oswego, IL | Full-Time 3rd Shift: 10:45pm-7:15am Starting pay ... HQC Inc. is a well-established plastic injection molding company that has been in business for 38 ...

Automation Technician

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$40K/yr

Technical certification or associate's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, or Industrial Automation preferred. * Experience: Automation Troubleshooting * Diagnose and resolve issues with molding ...

Showing results 21-40

Molding Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$16

$18

How much do molding associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for molding associate in Chicago, IL is $16.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $17.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a molding associate do?

A Molding Associate is responsible for operating and monitoring machines that mold plastic or other materials into specific shapes and products. They set up, adjust, and maintain molding equipment, inspect finished products for quality, and ensure production runs smoothly. Molding Associates often work in manufacturing environments and must follow safety protocols while troubleshooting and resolving minor machine issues. Attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently as part of a team are important skills for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a molding associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Molding Associate, you need a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and equipment operation, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training. Familiarity with injection molding machines, basic hand tools, and safety protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork are essential soft skills that help ensure efficient production and workplace safety. These skills are crucial for maintaining product quality, minimizing downtime, and supporting overall manufacturing goals.

What are some common challenges faced by molding associates, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Molding Associates often encounter challenges such as maintaining product quality, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and working efficiently under production deadlines. Addressing these challenges typically involves staying attentive to detail, following standard operating procedures, and communicating promptly with maintenance or quality teams when issues arise. Staying up to date with training and collaborating closely with team members also helps ensure smooth operations and personal growth within the role.

What is the difference between Molding Associate vs Molding Technician?

AspectMolding AssociateMolding Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma, technical training or certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing floor, assisting in molding processesManufacturing floor, operating and maintaining molding equipment
Job ResponsibilitiesAssist with molding tasks, prepare materials, monitor moldsSet up, operate, troubleshoot molding machines, quality checks

While both roles work in plastic molding manufacturing, Molding Associates typically assist with supporting tasks and basic operations, whereas Molding Technicians handle more technical responsibilities like machine setup and troubleshooting. The Technician role usually requires more specialized training but both are essential in the molding production process.

What job categories do people searching Molding Associate jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Molding Associate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Molding Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Molding Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Molding Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,700 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Tool and Die Mold Maker

Grayhill Inc.

Carpentersville, IL • On-site

$24.94 - $42.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Grayhill designs and manufactures intuitive human interface solutions that make life simpler, safer and more efficient. Standard products include optical encoders, rotary switches, keypads, joysticks, displays, touchscreens and pushbuttons. These components are sold to thousands of customers around the globe. Grayhill also incorporates these standard products into control panels to support a range of major customers in the Healthcare, Agriculture, Construction Equipment and Military markets. Our headquarters are in LaGrange, IL with manufacturing facilities located in McCook and Carpentersville IL, Iola WI and Shenzhen China.
We offer opportunities for talented professionals seeking challenging careers with a proven industry leader.
Are You Ready to Grow With Us?
Hours: 1st shift
*This position is located in our Carpentersville, IL facility*
Summary Analyzes specifications, lays out metal stock, sets up and operates machine tools, and fits and assembles parts to fabricate, repair, and support metalworking dies, molds, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and related production equipment. Provides hands-on technical support and troubleshooting to maintain reliable and efficient manufacturing operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Study specifications such as blueprints, sketches, models, or descriptions, and visualize products to determine materials required and machines to be used.
  • Compute dimensions, plan layouts, and determine assembly methods and sequences of operations.
  • Measure, mark, and scribe metal stock for machining.
  • Set up and operate machine tools such as lathes, milling machines and grinders to machine parts, and verify conformance to specifications.
  • Perform critical bench and assembly operations to fit, align, calibrate, adjust, assemble, and finish tooling, molds, and fixtures.
  • Fabricate, repair, modify, and improve dies, molds, jigs, fixtures, and tooling to support production requirements.
  • Troubleshoot production equipment and tooling issues, including diagnosing mechanical problems, making adjustments, and supporting corrective actions to minimize downtime.
  • Provide production-floor support, responding to equipment, tooling, and process-related issues to maintain quality and throughput.
  • Create tooling and fixturing to support Manufacturing Engineering and automated or semi-automated production processes.
  • Perform development and experimental work as required to support continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Examine existing dies, tools, jigs, fixtures, and production equipment, and recommend design or functional improvements.
  • May occasionally act as lead on tooling or mold-making projects, assigning work to Tool Room associates and coordinating specialized machining and bench operations.
  • Monitor, train, and support apprentices in specialized phases of work and report progress to the Tool Room Supervisor.
  • Maintain machines, tooling, and equipment in accordance with proper operating and maintenance procedures.
  • Develop specifications from general descriptions for specialty tools and prepare sketches or drawings as required.
Education and/or Experience:
  • One-year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in addition to Journeyperson designation.

We value diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of gender, color, race, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin.
This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.